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Pixxel

2021-10-04T18:16:34Z

2001:FD0:1300:100:0:0:0:2:

{{short description|Indian aerospace company}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Pixxel
| image_caption =
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| industry = [[Aerospace]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2019|2}}
| founders = [[Awais Ahmed]], Kshitij Khandelwal
| hq_location_city = [[Bengaluru, Karnataka]]
| hq_location_country = India
| key_people = Awais Ahmed ([[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])<br />Kshitij Khandelwal ([[Chief Technology Officer|CTO]])
| services = Satellite Imagery
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| website = {{URL|pixxel.space}}
}}

'''Pixxel''' is an Indian [[Privately held company|private]] [[Aerospace manufacturer|aerospace manufacturer]] company, aiming to put a constellation of 30+ [[Earth observation satellite|earth observation micro-satellites]] into a [[sun-synchronous orbit]] in 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siddiqui|first=Huma|date=2020-05-20|title=Pixxel aiming big to put India on the global space map, says Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/pixxel-aiming-big-to-put-india-on-the-global-space-map-says-awais-ahmed-founder-and-ceo/1965321/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 November 2019|title=Pixxel to Launch its Maiden Satellite|url=http://www.siliconindia.com/news/general/Pixxel-to-Launch-its-Maiden-Satellite-nid-210980-cid-1.html|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Silicon India|language=en}}</ref> It was started by [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani|BITS Pilani]] graduates Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal in February 2019, was Asia's only space startup to qualify for the 2019 [[Techstars]] Starburst Space [[Startup accelerator|Accelerator]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chakraberty|first=Sumit|date=2019-08-11|title=How this student startup landed in a space accelerator|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/how-this-student-startup-landed-in-a-space-accelerator-1565535908270.html|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Livemint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheldon|first=John|date=2019-11-05|title=India's Pixxel Partners With Italy's Leaf Space For Leaf Line Service Agreement|url=https://spacewatch.global/2019/11/indias-pixxel-partners-with-italys-leaf-space-for-leaf-line-service-agreement/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=SpaceWatch.Global|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=24 October 2019|title=Skymet joins hands with Bengaluru-based firm Pixxel for earth imageries|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/skymet-joins-hands-with-bengaluru-based-firm-pixxel-for-earth-imageries/article29787148.ece|access-date=2020-08-09|website=The Hindu @businessline|language=en}}</ref>

Pixxel's first satellite was earlier scheduled to be launched in late 2020 on a Soyuz rocket.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jayakumar|first=PB|date=7 July 2020|title=Indian space-tech startup prepares to launch 24 satellites; aims to send first one by Nov|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/indian-space-tech-startup-prepares-to-launch-24-satellites-aims-to-send-first-one-by-dec/story/406095.html|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Business Today}}</ref> It later entered in an agreement with India's state owned [[NSIL]] to use a [[PSLV]] rocket for launching it in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pixxel signs pact with NSIL to launch India's first private remote-sensing satellite|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pixxel-signs-pact-with-nsil-to-launch-indias-first-private-remote-sensing-satellite/article33252294.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-12-04}}</ref> Its launch on board the PSLV-C51 was delayed in February 2021 due to technical issues.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Space startup Pixxel’s satellite launch delayed again|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/space-startup-pixxels-satellite-launch-delayed-again/articleshow/81174825.cms|access-date=2021-03-21}}</ref>

Pixxel announced that it will provide the highest resolution commercially available [[Hyperspectral imaging|hyper-spectral]] images. It raised $2.3 million more in March 2021 from Techstars, Omnivore VC and others. This is in addition to the $5 million it raised in August 2020 from Lightspeed Ventures and others.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=2021-03-17|title=Pixxel closes $7.3M seed round and unveils commercial hyperspectral imaging product|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/03/17/pixxel-closes-7-3m-seed-round-and-unveils-commercial-hyperspectral-imaging-product/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-21|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>

The company claims that its constellation is designed to provide global coverage at a revisit of every 24 hours<ref>{{Cite web|title=Technology|url=https://www.pixxel.space/technology|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.pixxel.space}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of private spaceflight companies]]
* [[Skyroot Aerospace]]
* [[Satellize]]
* [[Indian Space Research Organisation]]
* [[New Space India Limited]]
* [[Bellatrix Aerospace]]
* [[List of private spaceflight companies]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Orbital launches in 2020}}
{{2020 in space}}
{{Indian space programme}}
{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}}

[[Category:2021 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:Space programme of India]]
[[Category:Indian private spaceflight companies]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Companies based in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2019]]

{{India-org-stub}}
{{Space-stub}}

Srinivasan (Tamil actor)

2021-08-23T14:49:28Z

2001:FD0:1300:100:0:0:0:2: /* Filmography */

{{short description|Indian actor and comedian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Srinivasan
| other names = Power Star, Power
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Actor
| spouses = Vanitha Vijaykumar
| years_active = 2010–present
}}

'''Srinivasan''' (popularly known as '''Powerstar''' and sometimes simply '''Power''') is an Indian actor, doctor, politician and comedian, producer, singer, business man who has worked in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]]. Beginning his career as a medical practitioner, he moved into finance before embarking on making films starring himself. He then appeared in [[N. Santhanam]]'s ''[[Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya]]'' (2013) which gave him a breakthrough in receiving further offers for comic roles.

== Career ==
Srinivasan completed his degree at Madurai Kamaraj University and then acquired a qualification as an acupuncture practitioner from a university in China through a distance education programme, before commencing practise soon after. His passion for the film industry brought him to Chennai, where he set up a finance firm, Baba Trading Company, in [[Anna Nagar]] and advertised through brokers that he would help businessmen acquire huge bank loans.<ref name="legal">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/goondas-act-against-jailed-actor-power-star-likely/article4684131.ece|title=Goondas Act against jailed actor ‘Power Star’ likely|author=Petlee Peter|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Srinivasan soon went on to direct and star in a film titled ''[[Lathika (film)|Lathika]]'', which released in 2011 with little publicity and featured primarily newcomers. The following year, the team of ''Lathika'' put up banners across vast areas in Chennai, remarking that ''Lathika'' had been successfully running for 220 days in the city albeit at a single cinema. The move brought him publicity and he gained online fan clubs for the bizarre claims, while he also went on to rechristen himself as 'Powerstar' Srinivasan.<ref name="econ">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-01-26/news/36564086_1_actor-power-star-tamil-films-superstar-rajinikanth|title=Mind it: Rajinikanth gets a rival in unlikely hero 'Power Star' S Srinivasan|work=The Economic Times}}</ref> Srinivasan subsequently begun several other production ventures starring himself including ''Ananda Thollai'', ''Indrasena, Abhinava'' and ''Desiya Nedunchalai'', though most films remain partially shot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/im-the-only-match-to-superstar-says-powerstar-powerstar-srinivasan-rajinikanth-04-01-13.html|title=I’m the only match to Superstar, says Powerstar, powerstar Srinivasan, Rajinikanth}}</ref> Srinivasan inadvertently had marketed himself as a spoof artist through his initial ploys and has since maintained a comic image with the media and on-screen, often portraying outrageous and over-the-top characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/357075/rise-amp-fall-powerstar.html|title=Rise & fall of Powerstar|work=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

Actor [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] offered him a pivotal role in his first production ''[[Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya]]'' (2013), to portray one of the three leading male roles. The film opened to positive reviews in January 2013, with critics calling it an "infectious" comedy and went on to do profitable business at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/kanna-laddu-thinna-aasaiya/kanna-laddu-thinna-aasaiya-box-office-feb-10.html|title=Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya box office collection}}</ref> Alongside his co-stars, critics noted that Srinivasan "scorches the screen" and his "comic timing makes the slapstick madness work".<ref name="econ" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kanna-laddu-thinna-aasiaya-review-tamil-15017654.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530134329/http://www.sify.com/movies/kanna-laddu-thinna-aasiaya-review-tamil-15017654.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-30|title=Movie Review : Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasiaya|work=Sify}}</ref> The success of the film garnered him offers from big productions, including [[Bala (director)|Bala]]'s ''[[Paradesi (2013 film)|Paradesi]]'' (2013) and [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]'s ''[[I (2014 film)|I]]''; though his portions were later replaced in the former film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Power-Star-approached-for-Paradesi/articleshow/19002959.cms|title=Power Star approached for Paradesi?|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

Srinivasan has since gone on to appear in supporting roles in smaller budget films, notably playing pivotal characters in ''[[Arya Surya]]'' and ''[[Summa Nachunu Irukku]]'' (2013). He has also regularly appeared in promotional videos and single scene appearances in films, with small-time filmmakers keen to sell their films using his popular image.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Power-Stars-Terror-Love-Anthem/articleshow/18831086.cms|title=Power Star's 'Terror Love Anthem'|work=The Times of India}}</ref> In early 2014, Srinivasan stated that he was unhappy that filmmakers were "betraying" him and depicting him in films. He delivered particular criticism to the makers of ''[[Ya Ya (film)|Ya Ya]]'' (2013) and ''[[Goli Soda]]'' (2014), who he argued used his presence in their films for cheap publicity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/powerstar-srinivasan-alleges-his-previous-producers-of-cheating.html|title=Powerstar Srinivasan alleges his previous producers of cheating}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Srinivasan was born in 1962 in the Simmakal region in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. After leaving Madurai for Chennai, he bought and currently lives in a residence in [[Anna Nagar]]. He has been married twice, firstly with Vijaya of Madurai, whom he later divorced before marrying Julie from Anna Nagar. He has a daughter named Lathika, who he named his first production after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Power-Star-invested-swindled-money-in-movies-Police/2013/05/05/article1575489.ece|title=Power Star invested swindled money in movies: Police|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

Through his finance firm, Baba Trading Company, Srinivasan allegedly obtained over Rs. 7 crore rupees from unsuspecting businessmen and consequently used the money to begin a career in films, through his home production ''[[Lathika (film)|Lathika]]'' (2011). In 2012, Srinivasan was arrested by the Kilpauk police on charges of cheating and released on bail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/power-star-srinivasan-arrested-for-fraud-news-tamil-mjpnXNffceesi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109015452/http://www.sify.com/movies/power-star-srinivasan-arrested-for-fraud-news-tamil-mjpnXNffceesi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-11-09|title=Power Star Srinivasan arrested for fraud!|work=Sify}}</ref> The following year in April 2013, he was booked by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and sent to prison and the development of more cases against him led to his office in Anna Nagar and a hospital he owned on Park Road, Anna Nagar West Extension, being shut.<ref name="legal" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/another-case-against-power-star-srinivasan/article4704717.ece|title=Another case against ‘Power Star’ Srinivasan|work=The Hindu}}</ref> After a period in Delhi prison, he received bail in October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/power-star-srinivasan-gets-bail/article5299857.ece|title=Power Star Srinivasan gets bail|author=Special Correspondent|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Now-Delhi-police-wants-Power-Star-Srinivasan/articleshow/20452225.cms|title=Now Delhi police wants Power Star Srinivasan|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

== Politics ==
Srinivasan joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Superstar Rajinikanth's only rival' Powerstar joins TN BJP|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/powerstar-joins-bjp|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en}}</ref> Later, he joined [[Republican Party of India]] and contested in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and the party RPI joined with [[Makkal Needhi Maiam]]. However, he lost to [[Thamizhachi Thangapandian]], a DMK candidate to a margin of 1,73,272 votes in South Chennai.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Antony|first=Dr. Anny|last2=Margaret|first2=Dr. C.|last3=Karthick|first3=Dr. R.|last4=Ali|first4=Dr. Mohammed|last5=Chenthil|first5=Dr. K.S.|date=2019-12-31|title=Prevalence of H. pylori in Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in a tertiary care center, South India|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.17511/ijmrr.2019.i06.12|journal=International Journal of Medical Research and Review|volume=7|issue=6|pages=520–525|doi=10.17511/ijmrr.2019.i06.12|issn=2321-127X}}</ref>

He announced in 2020 that if actor [[Rajinikanth]] started his own political party he will also start a party and contest in 2021 Tamil Nadu Elections.

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|rowspan="4" |2010 || ''[[Neethana Avan]]'' || Vallal Perumal ||
|-
| ''[[Mandabam]]'' || Sabapathy ||
|-
| ''[[Unakkaga Oru Kavithai]]'' || Jairam ||
|-
| ''Indrasena'' || ||
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Lathika (film)|Lathika]]'' || Eeshwar ||
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2013 || ''[[Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya]]'' || Power Kumar || Nominated—[[3rd South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Award for Best Comedian – Tamil]]<br />[[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Award for Best Comedian]]
|-
| ''[[Onbadhule Guru]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Azhagan Azhagi'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Summa Nachunu Irukku]]'' || Ashok Rajendran ||
|-
| ''[[Arya Surya]]'' || Aryananda ||Also singer for "Vadapochae"
|-
| ''[[Ya Ya (film)|Ya Ya]]'' || Beerpal || Cameo
|-
| rowspan="3" |2014 || ''[[Thalaivan]]'' || || Cameo appearance
|-
| ''[[Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham]]'' || Gang leader || Special appearance
|-
| ''[[Vizhi Moodi Yosithaal]]'' || College Alumni || Guest appearance
|-
| rowspan="6" |2015 || ''[[I (film)|I]]'' || 'Terror Star' Keerthivasan ||
|-
| ''[[Sagaptham]]'' || R. Manmadhan ||
|-
| ''[[MGR Sivaji Rajini Kamal]]'' || Church father || Guest appearance
|-
| ''[[Maharani Kottai]]'' || || Guest appearance
|-
| ''[[Maanga (film)|Maanga]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Apoorva Mahaan'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="9" | 2016 || ''[[Sowkarpettai]]'' || Junior ||
|-
| ''[[Vaaliba Raja]]'' || || Cameo appearance
|-
| ''[[Narathan]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Kida Poosari Magudi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Manithan (2016 film)|Manithan]]'' || Doctor || Guest appearance
|-
| ''Sutta Pazham Sudaatha Pazham'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Adra Machan Visilu]]'' || Powerstar (Muniyandi) ||
|-
| ''[[Ka Ka Ka Po]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Kagitha Kappal'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="7" | 2017 || ''Vaanga Vaanga'' || Powerstar Srinivasan ||
|-
| ''[[Kavan (film)|Kavan]]'' || Powerstar Srinivasan || Guest Appearance
|-
| ''[[Vilayattu Aarambam]]'' || Shah Rukh Khan ||
|-
| ''Aakkam'' || ||
|-
| ''Enbathettu'' || ||
|-
| ''Ilavatta Pasanga'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Sakka Podu Podu Raja (2017 film)|Sakka Podu Podu Raja]]'' || Himself ||
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2018 || ''[[Merlin (2018 film)|Merlin]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Mohana'' || ||
|-
| ''Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Enna Thavam Seitheno]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Odu Raja Odu]]'' || || Cameo appearance
|-
| ''Kaattu Pura'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2019 || ''[[Simba (2019 film)|Simba]]'' || Veterinary surgeon ||
|-
|''[[Oviyavai Vitta Yaru]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Jaikka Povadhu Yaaru'' || ||
|-
| ''Chennai 2 Bangkok'' || ||
|-
|''[[Capmaari]]'' || Power Pandy Durai ||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Naanga Romba Busy]]'' || || Television film
|}

==Television==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|rowspan="4" |2021 ||''[[Jothi (TV series)|Jothi]]''||Minister Nagarajan ([[Guest appearance]])||<ref>[https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/actor-power-star-srinivasan-in-sun-tv-jothi-serial/]
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=5463331|name=Powerstar Srini}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Srini, Powerstar}}
[[Category:Male actors from Madurai]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Tamil male actors]]
[[Category:Indian Tamil people]]
[[Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1956 births]]